One of the most important steps in the academic credential evaluation process is understanding how to interpret the grading scale from your original transcripts. Whether you are applying for higher education, immigration, licensing, or employment abroad, your academic records must be converted into a format that aligns with international standards—usually the 4.0 GPA system.
But what happens when you’re faced with a frustrating situation:
You don’t see the grading scale that matches the one printed on your transcript?
This is more common than most applicants realize. Grading systems can vary widely between countries, institutions, and even different programs within the same university. This blog explores what to do if the grading scale you need is missing, hard to understand, or unavailable, and how to resolve the issue effectively to avoid delays or errors in your credential evaluation.
What Is a Grading Scale and Why Is It Important?
A grading scale is a framework that defines how academic performance is measured. It converts raw scores (marks or percentages) into letter grades or grade points and ultimately reflects a student’s overall academic standing.
Grading scales vary drastically across institutions and countries:
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India: Percentages (First Division, Second Division, etc.)
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Germany: Reverse scale (1.0 is best, 5.0 is failing)
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Nigeria: 5-point GPA
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UK: Class system (First Class, Upper Second, etc.)
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France: 0–20 scale
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China: 100-point scale
Credential evaluation agencies and admissions offices rely on accurate grading scales to convert your results into the 4.0 GPA or equivalent formats. If your transcript doesn’t include a grading scale—or if the one on the transcript doesn’t match available references—errors in evaluation are likely to occur.
Common Scenarios Where Grading Scales Are Missing or Misaligned
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Transcript Doesn’t Include a Grading Key
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Some universities assume the evaluator is already familiar with their format.
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Others issue mark sheets without a reference scale at all.
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Different Scale Than Known Standard
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A university may use a 7-point GPA while the country is known for a 4-point system.
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Marks may be out of 80 instead of 100 due to internal weightage.
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Multiple Campuses, Multiple Systems
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Students from decentralized universities may see varied grading rules across campuses.
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Older Transcripts Use Legacy Formats
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Students from the 1980s or 1990s may find their grading system no longer in use or recognized.
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Special Programs With Custom Grading
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Professional programs, honors degrees, or technical diplomas may use customized grading scales.
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Why This Can Be a Problem
When your grading scale isn’t recognized or available, you may face:
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Delayed evaluations
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Incorrect GPA conversions
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Rejected or returned applications
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Missed deadlines
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Reduced eligibility for scholarships or professional licenses
Inaccurate grade interpretation can mean the difference between an admission offer and a rejection—especially when GPA thresholds are strict.
What You Can Do: Step-by-Step Solutions
Here’s what to do if you cannot find the grading scale that matches the one on your transcript:
1. Check the Back of Your Transcript or Marksheet
Sometimes, the grading scale is printed on the reverse side of your transcript or as a footnote. Look for headings such as:
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“Grading Key”
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“Interpretation of Grades”
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“Scheme of Evaluation”
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“Marks Conversion Table”
If available, this is considered primary evidence and is usually accepted by credential evaluators.
2. Contact Your University or College
Reach out to your registrar, examination department, or controller of examinations and request:
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A Grading Scale Certificate
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An Academic Evaluation Policy Document
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An Official Explanation of the Marking System
Ask them to issue it on official letterhead with a stamp and signature. This document can be submitted along with your transcript to any credential evaluation agency or university.
3. Look for Official University Handbooks or Prospectuses
Many universities publish detailed academic handbooks that include:
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Course structure
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Credit hour system
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Grade conversion methods
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Internal assessment patterns
If your university has such a document online or in print, download or scan the relevant section and include it as a supporting document.
4. Seek Assistance from a Credential Evaluation Expert
Professionals who work with international academic records—like those at FACTS Transcripts—have experience with grading systems from hundreds of universities. They may:
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Already have a record of your institution’s grading method
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Know how your grades align with international equivalents
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Help you retrieve or verify the grading scale from your university
Working with experts ensures that no assumptions are made about your marks.
5. Use a Comparable Grading Scale With Caution
If you truly cannot retrieve the grading scale from your institution, some credential evaluators may apply a country-standard grading scale as a fallback. However, this is risky and may result in:
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Lower GPA conversion
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Unintended academic downgrade
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Eligibility issues for scholarships or admissions
Always try to supply official documentation to avoid relying on generalized assumptions.
6. Submit a Statement of Explanation (if permitted)
Some agencies or universities allow you to submit a personal statement of academic context, especially if you’re from a less-documented institution. In this statement, you can explain:
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The grading policy at your university
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What marks typically mean in your department or faculty
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Any official GPA equivalents provided internally
While not a replacement for official documents, it may add value to your application.
How FACTS Transcripts Can Help You Resolve Missing Grading Scale Issues
FACTS Transcripts is a trusted service provider for collecting and verifying academic documents from Indian and international universities. If you are stuck due to an unlisted or confusing grading scale, FACTS can:
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Liaise directly with your university to obtain the grading policy
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Request sealed letters or certificates describing the evaluation system
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Guide you in submitting a complete, GPA-ready transcript package
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Ensure your documents meet the expectations of evaluation agencies, universities, or immigration offices
Their expertise in transcript procurement and grading interpretation ensures you’re never left in the dark when a crucial piece of information is missing.
Real-World Example
Imagine a student from an Indian private university submits transcripts showing marks out of 80 instead of 100, with no explanation. A credential evaluator might assume the student scored 64/100 instead of 64/80, significantly lowering the GPA.
However, if the student uses FACTS Transcripts to retrieve a letter from the university stating:
“All scores are awarded out of 80. To convert to percentage, multiply the result by 1.25.”
The GPA would be calculated correctly—preserving eligibility for a Canadian Master’s program requiring 3.0 GPA or higher.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let a Missing Grading Scale Derail Your Plans
When your grading scale doesn’t appear on your transcript—or doesn’t match what credential evaluators expect—it can stall your progress toward education, migration, or career advancement. But with the right steps, this obstacle can be overcome.
Be proactive in identifying and retrieving your grading scale.
Be precise in how you submit it.
Be professional by working with trusted experts like FACTS Transcripts to ensure your academic profile is complete, accurate, and GPA-ready.
Our Services – FACTS Transcripts
We at FACTS Transcripts assist in various services, including:
- Mark Sheet Transcripts
- E-Transcripts
- Duplicate Mark Sheets & Degree Certificates
- Medium of Instructions Certificates
- Attestations
- HRD Attestation / Apostille Services
- ECA (Educational Credentials Assessment)
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